More Red Flag Warnings today

by Matt Gray

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We have a new RED FLAG WARNING from noon until 9 p.m. Saturday for gusty winds and low humidity in the following counties. Missoula Granite Powell Ravalli Lemhi Deer Lodge Sliver Bow Jefferson Beaverhead Madison The most critical time for fire conditions will again be between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. Winds will be gusty on the ridgelines starting early in the afternoon and then mix down into the valleys by 5 or 6 o'clock. The cold front that moved in yesterday is stalling across southwest Montana which is keeping the gusty afternoon winds around for another day. Expect another round of heavy smoke production from area wildfires. Air quality will be variable as smoke rises in the afternoon and sinks overnight and into the early morning. Areas east of large fires such as Butte, Helena, Bozeman, Hamilton, and Missoula will see large amounts of smoke overhead late this evening. Expect dry conditions this weekend with lows in the upper 40s and low 50s and highs in the low to mid 80s. Fires will remain active even on Sunday afternoon. Next week will begin a warming trend that will reach into the upper 80s and low 90s. Other than the smoke, sky conditions look excellent to see the eclipse on Monday!